Doors have opened at The New South Glasgow Hospital

The new South Glasgow University Hospital (SGUH) has opened its doors to the first patients - with more adult acute services set to open at the end of May.

Surgical and orthopaedic patients were the first to attend outpatient appointments at the Govan super hospital.

It’s all go onwards as the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) transfers from the current facility in Yorkhill as of June.

Robert Calderwood, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde chief executive, said: “The new SGUH and new RHSC have been a long time in the planning and construction, and I am delighted that they are now complete and the first outpatients are being seen today. It is now all about the patients and we hope they are as pleased with the new hospital as we are. “While the migration of all services will be phased over the next two months, when both hospitals are fully operational they will revolutionise healthcare for patients.”

One of the very first patients to cross the threshold of the new hospital was Linda Gordon. Linda recently had a stroke and has been attending orthopaedic as an outpatient. She has been looking forward seeing the inside of the new hospital.

She said: “I think the hospital is amazing. It is so futuristic and the space and light is brilliant.

“This is how a hospital should look.”

Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, Shona Robison, said: “This is a significant day for NHS Scotland, and in particular for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Building Scotland’s largest ever hospital has been a long and complex challenge, so bringing this project in on time and on budget is a real achievement in itself.

“Today, all that work finally comes to fruition as we welcome the first patients for their appointments. These are state-of-the-art facilities, at the forefront of the latest advances in healthcare, and will transform the care patients receive from their NHS.

“The Scottish Government has invested £842 million in this project, which will provide patients with access to services for all ages on a single site - bringing with it increased efficiency, shorter waiting times and better continuity of care. It is part of over £2 billion of Government investment in Scotland’s health infrastructure over the four years to 2016, demonstrating our commitment to providing modern, state-of-the-art NHS facilities for patients.”

The adult hospital features 1,109 patient rooms which all have an external window and are equipped to the highest standards with private shower and toilet facilities, free television, radio and Wi-Fi.

More information about the new hospitals can be found on their website via a dedicated new hospitals portal www.nhsggc.org.uk/newhospitals.